| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080219031 | Apparatus and methods for improving the transient response capability of a switching power supply - The transient response of a switching power supply is improved by providing one or more supplemental power sources connected to the output terminal of the power supply. In one embodiment additional current is provided when a sudden increase in load current causes a corresponding decrease in output voltage. In one embodiment current is discharged when a sudden decrease in load current causes a corresponding increase in output voltage. The supplemental power sources provide a fixed current for a fixed duration. In one embodiment the current provided from the power sources is variable according to the increase or decrease in load current. In some embodiments the supplemental current is provided for a time period approximating the time required for the switching power converter coil current to equal the new load current. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080278223 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE PROPAGATION DELAY OF A CIRCUIT BY CONTROLLING THE VOLTAGE APPLIED TO THE CIRCUIT - The voltage applied to an integrated circuit is controlled by a temporal process monitor formed as part of the integrated circuit. The temporal process monitor includes a voltage controlled oscillator for producing a first output signal having a first period. A comparator compares the first period to one or more reference values. Should the first period be greater than a first selected reference value the comparator sends a signal to increase the voltage being supplied to the integrated circuit. Should the first period be less than a second selected reference value, the comparator sends a signal to decrease the voltage applied to the integrated circuit. In some embodiments a scaling circuit is provided for producing a second output signal having a second period different from (typically but not necessarily longer than) the first period. By placing the temporal process monitor on an integrated circuit chip, process variations and environmental factors which affect the performance of the integrated circuit can be automatically compensated so that the integrated circuit performs within specifications. Two or more temporal process monitors can be placed on a single integrated circuit chip or on different integrated circuit chips and the longest period produced by the temporal process monitors can be used to control the voltage supplied to all the sections of the integrated circuit chip associated with the temporal process monitors or to all the integrated circuit chips associated with the temporal process monitors. In some embodiments voltages related to the frequency of a temporal process monitor signal and the frequency of a fixed frequency clock are provided to an error amplifier, which changes the voltage applied to the integrated circuit such that the two frequencies are the same. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080297381 | METHODS OF USING PREDICTIVE ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTERS - Methods and devices are disclosed for performing analog to digital signal conversion in shorter time and/or with less power consumption than that of a comparable analog to digital conversion that uses a conventional sequential approximation method based on a binary search. In one embodiment, a predictive guess is supplied as a digital first signal. The digital first signal is converted (D/A) to a counterpart, analog guess signal. A comparison is made between the analog guess signal and a received, analog input sample signal. The result of the comparison is used to improve on the initially supplied guess in a next cycle. Fewer cycles and less power is consumed if the initial guess is within a certain range of the actual magnitude of the analog input sample signal. In one embodiment, a digital modeler is used to model a process underlying the analog input sample signal and to thereby provide fairly good guesses. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090251936 | DISTRIBUTED MULTIPHASE CONVERTERS - A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output. The pulses are produced at a high frequency relative to the signal modulated on a sequence of pulses. The signal modulated onto a sequence of pulses may represent portions of a lower frequency sine wave or other lower frequency waveform, including DC. When the PAMCC's output is connected in parallel with the outputs of similar PAMCCs an array of PAMCCs is formed, wherein the output pulses of the PAMCCs are out of phase with respect to each other. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090261655 | HIGH VOLTAGE ARRAY CONVERTER - A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM” current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC. The array is configured as a series of stages, wherein the power sources within each stage are in parallel. The series of stages provides for a high voltage AC or DC output. In some embodiments a weak power source is compensated for by adjusting the voltage or the current of the weak power source. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090278522 | LOW POWER METHOD OF RESPONSIVELY INITIATING FAST RESPONSE TO A DETECTED CHANGE OF CONDITION - A voltage signal is monitored in comparison to another voltage signal by a differential amplifier. When the first voltage signal value drops below the second voltage signal value an output signal is boosted in response. The output signal returns to a previous state without boost. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090302680 | DISTRIBUTED PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - Power is provided to one or more loads by a photovoltaic power generating system wherein the system provides alternating current. No direct current connection is required, allowing the system to be collocated with a load. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090308426 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING, TESTING, MONITORING AND ACTIVATING POWER GENERATION EQUIPMENT - A solar panel including array converters is installed in a solar power generation system by first completing a self-test of the solar panel in an uninstalled state. Certain data is obtained and compared to specifications to verify proper operation. Other data obtained is compared to a work order to insure the intended unit is being installed. A functional, proper panel is installed into the solar power generation system, then tested again in an operational state. The system includes steps for activating a system, wherein a system that is not activated within a predetermined time period will no longer operate. The solar power generation system may be monitored remotely, thereby allowing maintenance to be performed on an as-needed basis. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100149847 | APPARATUS PROVIDING BIAS TO SOLAR CELLS - Solar panels of certain technologies may experience a degradation of their efficiency as a result of exposure to sunlight, either prior to installation or during normal operation. A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to the solar panel and to a source of alternating current. The PAMCC receives direct current from the solar panel and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output terminals at such times that the solar panel is capable to provide current, denominated “normal operation”. The PAMCC may be reconfigured to form a buck converter and a rectifier wherein the rectifier converts power received at the output (during normal operation) terminals to provide rectified, direct current to the buck converter. The buck converter provides direct current in the forward biased direction to the solar panel, thereby reconditioning the solar panel. Alternating current received at the output terminals of the PAMCC may be provided by an electric grid or by other means, such as other solar power converters. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100152917 | DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF HOT SPOTS IN A SOLAR PANEL - An electronic module compares the output voltage of a solar panel to an expected value and controls the power demand from the solar panel such that the output voltage does not vary from the expected value by more than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be determined by correcting a room temperature value for the temperature dependence of the photodiodes comprising the solar panel and manufacturing tolerance. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100164288 | DISTRIBUTED MULTIPHASE CONVERTERS - A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output. The pulses are produced at a high frequency relative to the signal modulated on a sequence of pulses. The signal modulated onto a sequence of pulses may represent portions of a lower frequency sine wave or other lower frequency waveform, including DC. When the PAMCC's output is connected in parallel with the outputs of similar PAMCCs an array of PAMCCs is formed, wherein the output pulses of the PAMCCs are out of phase with respect to each other. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100301817 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRICAL POWER - Power output of a power generation system is controlled by measuring the output voltage of the system, dividing the measured voltage value into a target power value, then controlling the current provided by the generation system to the calculated value. In some embodiments the power generation system is connected to a grid. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100332167 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE OPERATING CONDITION OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL - Due to their exposure to extreme environments, it is expected that parts or all of a solar power system will experience degradation in performance. The degradation may be due to temporary environmental factors, such as cloud cover; damage or localized soiling; a general dirty condition; or ageing of the components. A method is disclosed wherein a remote system may detect degraded performance and determine the cause, thereby enabling a decision as to the appropriate corrective action to be taken, if any. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110028008 | PROGRAMMABLE STRUCTURE FOR PASSING PARAMETERS TO A CONTROLLER - An enclosure includes a base unit and an insertable unit wherein the base unit has an opening corresponding to the insertable unit. A single structure is formed when the insertable unit is inserted into the base. The base is electrically connected to a first electronic device, such as a solar panel. The insertable unit includes a second electronic device. The base and the insertable unit have connectors that make electrical connections when the insertable unit is inserted into the base unit. The base unit further includes electrical connectors connected to a memory device wherein the electrical connections correspond to matching connections in the insertable unit. Upon assembly the second electronic device reads data prepositioned in the memory device, thereby passing data to the second electronic device. The data may be parametric, characteristic, flag, or a serial number, for example. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110057515 | THREE PHASE POWER GENERATION FROM A PLURALITY OF DIRECT CURRENT SOURCES - A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its three output terminals, wherein the current of each terminal is one hundred twenty degrees out of phase with the other two terminals. The pulses are produced at a high frequency relative to the signal modulated on a sequence of pulses. The signal modulated onto a sequence of pulses may represent portions of a lower frequency sine wave or other lower frequency waveform, including DC. When each phased output is connected in parallel with the outputs of similar PAMCCs an array of PAMCCs is formed, wherein each voltage phased output pulse is out of phase with respect to a corresponding current output pulse of the other PAMCCs. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed three-phase multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC on each phase. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110057516 | THREE PHASE POWER GENERATION FROM A PLURALITY OF DIRECT CURRENT SOURCES - A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its three output terminals, wherein the current of each terminal is one hundred twenty degrees out of phase with the other two terminals. The pulses are produced at a high frequency relative to the signal modulated on a sequence of pulses. The signal modulated onto a sequence of pulses may represent portions of a lower frequency sine wave or other lower frequency waveform, including DC. When each phased output is connected in parallel with the outputs of similar PAMCCs an array of PAMCCs is formed, wherein each voltage phased output pulse is out of phase with respect to a corresponding current output pulse of the other PAMCCs. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed three-phase multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC on each phase. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110115299 | High Voltage Array Converter - A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC. The array is configured as a series of stages, wherein the power sources within each stage are in parallel. The series of stages provides for a high voltage AC or DC output. In some embodiments a weak power source is compensated for by adjusting the voltage or the current of the weak power source. | 05-19-2011 |
